Simplicity vs Complexity
2nd July 2008
I’ve stumbled across these two music videos recently, and the differences between them illustrate beautifully the two ends of a conundrum. Is simple better? Should a message always be communicated clearly? Is simple communication a defining rule that seperates design from art?
A simple idea can be easy to lose interest in, especially in a moving image scenario. I have huge admiration for the guys that created this first vid - a true case of perseverance. Bare with it, you won’t be dissapointed.
This second one is mind boggling. Created by a student who missed the deadline for a Radiohead competition, it explores the complex time signature found within the song (something I can’t even begin to understand) and tries to represent each of the instruments with an out-moded form of technology that is simply not up to the task.
Says James Houston of the project:
“I grouped together a collection of old redundant hardware, and placed them in a situation where they’re trying their best to do something that they’re not exactly designed to do, and not quite getting there”.
The result is not only a fascinated set of sounds (I can’t comment on it’s likeness to the orginal I’m ashamed to say) but the sheer genius of the whole idea blows me away. Add to that the fantastic photography of the setup and you have an all round stunning piece of work, but by no means a simple one.
Big Ideas (don’t get any) from James Houston on Vimeo.
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